Leanda de Lisle writes that when starting her research, ‘she suspected there would be little new to say about Jane herself’ (p314), but by revisiting contemporary sources found that this was not the case.
In this extremely readable account of the lives of the three Grey sisters, de Lisle challenges the traditional view that Jane was born at Bradgate in October 1537 (the same month as Prince Edward) and also Jane’s relationship with her mother Frances, Duchess of Suffolk.
The author puts forward a new argument supporting David Starkey’s identification of the Teerlinc miniature.
A more ‘human’ Jane is presented than the Protestant martyr of previous biographies, whilst not diminishing her religious faith or acceptance of her role.
Her sisters, Catherine and Mary, are allowed to emerge from the shadow of their more well known sister, the nine day queen. The book includes a previously unpublished part of a letter between Catherine and her husband and a forgotten document relating to Mary.
De Lisle reinstates the importance of Catherine Grey and the possible alternate royal dynasty that were an ongoing threat to Elizabeth I. She also shows how Mary followed in Catherine’s footsteps and how the lives of all three sisters were blighted by their closeness to the throne.
‘The Sisters Who Would Be Queen’ is a must read for anyone interested in Jane, Catherine and Mary Grey.
Read an Interview with Leanda de Lisle.
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